Famous Earl鈥檚 Court Exhibition Centre set for demolition under 6,700 home scheme designed by Farrells
Plans for an 拢8bn redevelopment in Earls Court and West Kensington have been approved by the Mayor of London.
The 6,700-home scheme, drawn up by architect Farrells, involves demolishing two estates and the famous Earls Court Exhibition Centre to make way for four 鈥榲illages鈥� and a new 鈥榟igh street鈥�.
But the 32ha scheme, straddling the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, has been fiercely opposed by local campaigners, who have argued that the exhibition centre should be listed and existing homes preserved.
The EC Properties project was passed to the mayor for his consideration after being given the go-ahead by both Kensington & Chelsea council and Hammersmith & Fulham council last year.
Mayor Boris Johnson, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 in no doubt that the development proposed for Earls Court and West Kensington will provide a massive boost not just to this part of the capital, but to London鈥檚 wider economy as well.
鈥淚t is a landmark project that will deliver much needed jobs, new homes and improved infrastructure and will make this strategically important part of the capital an even better to place to live, work and visit.
鈥淚 am acutely aware of the concerns that some residents affected by the project have but I鈥檓 reassured by the measures being taken by both councils and the developer to make sure the needs of local people are properly addressed.
鈥淗aving weighed up all of the considerations I鈥檓 of the firm view that this is a project that will deliver huge benefits to the area and beyond for years to come.鈥�
Labour London Assembly Member Tom Copley said on Twitter: 鈥淰ery disappointed but not at all surprised that the Mayor has approved demolition of Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
鈥淎n appalling decision.鈥�
The development is expected to take 20 years to complete.
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